The day your son or daughter was born was likely one of the happiest days of your life! The bond between you and your child is profoundly strong. Put the tips in this article to use if you want to maintain that connection with your child for years to come.

If you are expecting a baby, spending lots of money on nursery furnishings is not necessary. You can find many items that you will need to furnish your nursery from cribs, to sheets at department stores for a fraction of the price, without sacrificing quality. Due to the short useful life of items like these, friends and family members may have old equipment that they are no longer using, as well.

Consider what you are actually saying to your child. You want to show your kids that they can trust you.

Infants and toddlers do not need to drink any kind of soda. Give your baby nutritious beverages, like milk and sugar-free juices; water is also important for proper hydration.

Always make time for yourself to do things that you like to do, without your children. Even if you are only able to get away for a one or two hours, ask a trusted friend or family member to watch your kids for you. If parents are not able to have some time to unwind, they will become highly stressed, which is not good for anyone in the family.

Research has shown the danger of second hand smoke to children, so don’t smoke at home. As a matter of fact, this is an excellent reason to just quit. The effects of secondhand smoke are as bad as smoking itself. Exposure to second-hand smoke puts children at higher risk for respiratory conditions like pneumonia, asthma or bronchitis.

Establishing a strong, healthy bond with your child while they are younger is critical, it will have a positive impact on them as they enter the teenage years, when it is so important to stay connected with them. Following these tips is only the first step in your child-rearing journey.

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